Into the Wild: The Unsolved Disappearance of Craig Barnett in Idaho's Wilderness

A Passion for the Outdoors

Craig Delroy Barnett, a 48-year-old resident of Jerome, Idaho, was known for his love of the outdoors. Standing 5'7" tall and weighing 180 pounds, with blond hair and hazel eyes, Barnett was an experienced camper who often ventured into Idaho's vast wilderness. His favorite camping spots included Pine, Couch Summit, Big Smokey, South Hills, Sun Valley, and Stanley . On July 25, 2019, Barnett left his home for a solo camping trip, a routine he had followed many times before. However, this time, he did not inform anyone of his exact destination, a decision that would later complicate search efforts.

The Vanishing Act

Barnett's departure seemed unremarkable at first. He drove away in his teal 1977 Ford F-150 XLT pickup truck, bearing Idaho license plate number 1BX0162 . Days turned into weeks, and when he failed to return, concern grew among his family and friends. The Jerome Police Department was notified, and a missing person report was filed. The lack of a specific destination made it challenging for authorities to narrow down search areas.

Discovery of the Abandoned Truck

In mid-August 2019, approximately three weeks after Barnett's disappearance, a rancher moving cattle in the Sawtooth National Forest stumbled upon Barnett's abandoned pickup truck. The vehicle was found in a grove of fir and aspen trees east of Road 232, near Lava Spring and the North Fork of Shoshone Creek . The truck's location suggested that Barnett had ventured into a remote area, possibly one of his favored camping spots. Despite extensive searches in the surrounding area, no trace of Barnett was found.

The Search Efforts

Search and rescue teams, along with volunteers, combed the rugged terrain around the location where Barnett's truck was discovered. The dense forest and challenging landscape made the search arduous. Authorities hoped to find clues within a mile radius of the vehicle, but their efforts yielded no results . The possibility that Barnett was wearing camouflage clothing, as he often did during his outdoor excursions, may have further hindered visibility during the search....Read More

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